THE JQ SIRLS BLOG! | ...yay!

KISS | New Illustration

2010-05-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

Acrylic and Ink Illustration [originally on 4x4 (ft) Canvas].

Enjoy.

Teddy... (New Print)

2010-04-25T02:17:00.000-07:00

Visit the online store to learn more about this print. Enjoy.

more... and more.

2010-04-24T02:40:00.000-07:00

Enjoy.

Olu & Brindle | New Character Illustration

2010-04-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

As most may know, a few years ago I was given the honor to sit with and eventually become the protege of, award-winning children's book illustrator, Shane W. Evans. I've learned many things as well as getting my hands wet in the illustration/children's book side of things, and to show my appreciation - I illustrated this rendition of Olu & Brindle from Shane's recent children's book Olu's Dream. Be sure to check out the official website for Olu (which I designed!!) at OlusDream.com

Enjoy the illustration!

"S O U L" & "R E S P E C T" | Newest Illustrations!!!

2010-04-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

So, to start off. I think the SAMURAI are VERY cool... No, seriously. I was sitting back looking at one of my favorite films, "The Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise. DISCLAIMER: That film may or may not be an accurate representation of Samurai... but it was cool nonetheless.

Due to my inspiration - I illustrated these keeping ONLY the word "SOUL" & "RESPECT" in my mind and let my hands do the rest. Enjoy.

The Next Children's Book!!!!! :-)

2010-04-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time comin' for this one. I finished the story about 3 years ago, but it took me longer to create images that I felt fit the story. AND FINALLY, I created the ONES.

The Great Pillowfighter | Autographed Print!

2010-04-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

Giclee Print in three different sizes! 8.5 x 12 , 11 x 15 , & 15 x 20.
ONLY CREATING 10 in each CATEGORY of this Illustration.

GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY! ... :-)

Mr. Cream & The Popsicle Mafia | New Print

2010-04-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

11 x 15 Giclee Print of one of my favorite Illustrations!!! Made me laugh the entire time illustrating them!! Pray it does the same for you or your child. Buy Now!

ALLEY ANGEL | MY FIRST MUNNY!

2010-04-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

Something about the Urban Vinyl movement... has me ADDICTED. I love vinyl toys and so finally I decided to illustrate my first MUNNY! I am actually preparing to create my own toy soon and wanted to swim in the pool a bit before creating my own realm of toys... I LOVE IT SO FAR! I encourage everyone to try it out and wreck havoc on the little creatures. Great activity to do with adults and youth TOGETHER.

Enjoy the photos!

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON URBAN VINYL:
Urban vinyl is a type of designer toy, featuring action figures in particular which are usually made of vinyl. Although the term is sometimes used interchangeably with the term designer toy, it is more accurately used as a modifier: not all designer toys can be considered urban vinyl, while urban vinyl figures are necessarily designer toys, by virtue of the way in which they are produced. Like designer toys in general, urban vinyl figures feature original designs, small production numbers, and are marketed to collectors, predominantly adults. - Wikipedia

The Book of I.F. EPK | VIDEO

2010-04-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

THE VIDEO [EPK] (Electronic Press Kit) for my children's book.

Enjoy!

Currently off the desk: FoSA | Rockhurst University

2010-04-15T16:04:00.001-07:00

Poster I created for Rockhurst University's annual Festival of Student Achievement. Pretty cool showcase of art, performance, and literature.

My children's book is out!!!!!!

2010-04-14T13:21:00.001-07:00

FINALLY, My book is out and ready to rumble. Took me a few years, but it's here... and pretty random! lol. You can find it at ALL major bookstores... just ask the teller for "The Book of I.F."

THE WIZ | Costume & Stage Design

2010-04-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

OKAY, so not only is The Wiz MY FAVORITE ALL TIME MUSICAL... period, I have ALWAYS wanted to play the role of the SCARECROW! Little did I know, the dream would come true - and then some!

I was commissioned, by AMAZING Theatre Directors Jacqee Gafford & Susan Proctor, to create the costumes, stage layout, and promotional materials for THE WIZ in my home town, Kansas City, AS WELL AS play the role of the Scarecrow! Who-ho!!! [LOTS OF WORK... but fun work. :-) ] Not only did the dream come true, I got to throw my FULL create flare to the mix.

2010-04-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

I want to take this time to talk about dreams and imagination. Sometimes, people get so lost in the realm of getting older and being mature, that they have lost an important level of immaturity that allows them to deeply believe and have faith in the impossible. Yes, tomorrow is not promised and in order to see and make an agenda for the upcoming day, one would need to have some level of faith in the impossible, but why have so many people left that wonderful side in the dust? Imagination is the source of dreams, and dreams are the blueprints of a reality achieved only by believing.

How can I tell a child to play, to dream, to imagine, to wonder, and to explore.... If I will not do the same?

How I can I tell a child they can be anything they want to be... But I don't believe that for myself?

How can I tell a child that we are given BLESSINGS to be BLESSINGS to others when I too focused on 'only getting mine?'

When I look at children’s books – let’s say two classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (my favorite obviously) – there are a variety of hidden morals and themes that, as an adult, I can take with me. When I look at The Wizard of Oz, I think of the many people who wake up each morning and do the same thing each day because routine is comfortable. In no way am I saying that doing the same thing is a dreaded issue, but there are some people in that are stuck within the “same ol” mindset whom, out of routine, never discovered the INCREDIBLE potential they have inside - only found by putting themselves in a tornado of the unexpected and stepping out on faith into their own Oz.

This Oz could be moving to a new city, fulfilling a childhood dream that seemed or seems ridiculous, finding a path to college as the first person in the family to attend, and/or finally becoming a superhero (Hey, modern science is unpredictable…) As a writer and visual artist, I want to take the creative layer of children’s books and translate its foundational layer into books, stage-plays, and screenplays for all ages like 'Peter Pan,' and 'The Wizard of OZ'

We want children to believe and achieve - yet we, as adults, create millions of excuses when we can not do the same.

I believe that each and every person reading this (and not reading this) has the potential to change the WORLD in a positive way all in your own - you just have to believe it and yourselves. I believe in you and I may not have even met you yet.

If you cannot flow with the wind, then become a wind maker.

YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE WHY YOU CAN NOT FULFILL YOUR DREAMS!!!!! TAKE THEM BY THE HORN AND GO! RESEARCH, PRACTICE, and FULFILL. WE CAN NOT BE INSPIRATIONS TO CHILDREN IF WE CAN NOT BELIEVE IN OURSELVES. You are never too old dream.

Failure is the lack of "DOING," and you can't fail if you are always doing.

Dream as though it has no age limit.

-JQ